It is made thus: BODY, the reddest strand of a peacock's feather. LEGS AND WINGS. A lightish dun hackle; made with mulberry-coloured silk. It is called "The Little Chap," and is described with variations, by Arundo, in "Practical Fly-fishing," p. 26. No. 8. MARCH BROWN. The nympha of this fly seems to require a warmer day to enable it to rise to the surface of the water, and to change to a fly, than is required for the similar rise and metamorphosis of the Blue Dun's nympha (No. 2.); the fly lives three days in the state represented in the figure, then changes into the Great Red Spinner (see fig. 9.). The male has a chocolate hue, and the female a green brown; it generally appears in great numbers upon the streams, where it is found towards the latter end of March, and is very eagerly devoured by the Trout. It continues in season until May; and although it can only occasionally be found later, recent experience has convinced me of the propriety of using it, upon some waters, as late even as July or August. IMITATION. BODY. Fur of the hare's face ribbed over with olive silk, and tied with brown. TAIL. Two strands of a partridge feather. WINGS. Quill feather from the middle of the hen pheasant's wing, which may be found of the exact shade. LEGS. A brown mottled feather from the back of a partridge. Hook, No. 2, 3, or 4, long. REMARKS. The female of this excellent fly must by no means be neglected; and observe that females are generally a few days later in their appearance on the water than the males. BODY. Pale olive green wool, ribbed with fine gold twist. LEGS. A honey dun hackle, that is less bright than a golden dun. WINGS. Upright, the same as for the male; but the hackle will impart a lighter shade. This is a great killer on the Dove. In Wales, they make it as a hackle with a brown mottled feather of a partridge, and rib with pale green silk. It is equally celebrated in Scotland, as a firstrate killer: and certainly may be used with success, again in July. No. 9. GREAT RED SPINNER. The Dun Drake (fig. 8.) changes into this Spinner, and enjoys for three or four days its newest state and title. It seems to be in season much longer than the Dun Drake, and may even be used on warm evenings during most of the summer months; yet although the Dun Drake is not seen on the water after the middle of May, it would seem that it must still continue to come into existence afterwards, otherwise the Great Red Spinner could be in season only three or four days longer than the Dun Drake.* IMITATION. BODY. Hog's down dyed red-brown (or orange and brown floss silk mixed), spun on brown silk. It is ribbed with fine gold twist. TAIL. Two long whisks of a bright amber red hackle. WINGS. From an under covert feather of the starling's wing. LEGS. A bright amber red hackle. Hook, No. 2, 3, or 4, long. * Although I have spoken of this Spinner as appearing throughout most of the summer months, I am by no means certain that the specimens which are produced later than the middle of May may not be a distinct although similar species of Baëtis. No. 10. GOLDEN DUN MIDGE. The male has feathered antennæ, which the female has not. It seems to require a warm day to disengage itself from its water nympha. On such days very great sport may be had with it until the end of May. In its larva state, it is the Blood-worm of anglers. IMITATION. BODY. Olive floss silk ribbed with gold twist, and tied with dun silk thread. WINGS. From the palest feather of a young starling. LEGS. A pure dun hackle, wound on in front of the wings. Hook No. 1, Grayling. REMARKS. No fly is more abundant, especially in showery weather, and just after rain. It is a prime favourite on the Dove. A delicate hand is required to make this fly handsomely, and the finest silk. Though shoemakers' soft wax is generally to be preferred, as most durable, colourless wax has an advantage for making delicate flies like this and the Jenny Spinner. |